“Your Kingdom Come” – APAC Regional Alliance Gathers in Vietnam to Empower the Next Generation

The APAC Regional Conference brought together more than 150 delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region, together with 200 local seminarians, for four days of inspiration, collaboration, and worship under the theme “Your Kingdom Come” (Matthew 6:9-13).

The conference, hosted by the Alliance World Fellowship (AWF) Regional Coordinator and Regional Committee, aimed to challenge existing norms, empower younger leaders, and deepen the region’s commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission.

Representatives from 12 countries, including Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and South Korea, convened in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, October 28-31, 2024, for this significant event. Although New Zealand and North Vietnam were unable to participate, the conference underscored the diverse cultural and spiritual unity of the APAC region. Notable speakers included Rev. Ken Graham (AWF APAC Regional Coordinator), Rev. Dr. David Chotka (Spirit Equip Ministries, Canada), and Pastor Steve Chong (Rice Ministry).

“Seeing the size and scope of APAC and the AWF family has been inspiring,” said one active missionary, reflecting the sentiment of many first-time attendees.

The conference offered a mix of teaching, dialogue, and worship. Highlights included:

• Reaching our communities with personal witness (Ken Graham).
• The Lord’s Prayer and Hearing the Lord’s Voice (David Chotka).
• Engaging younger generations in leadership and ministry (Steve Chong).

• Presentations on Partnership Agreements and Good Governance for APAC national churches.

Steve Chong captured the urgency of generational leadership saying, “If you don’t know how to use an iPhone, iPad, or apps, you are so disconnected from the next generation that you can’t see or hear them.”

The conference concluded with a call to action: Involve and empower younger leaders within national church leadership teams to ensure a stable and fruitful future. “We can’t wait to hand over to the next generation of leaders,” said Rev. Ken Graham. “We need to involve and enable them now.”

Another critical focus was fostering partnerships among APAC national churches, with resources on partnership agreements introduced to aid collaboration.

The setting in Ho Chi Minh City provided a unique opportunity for the local church to connect with the broader APAC family. Worship featured a blend of styles, including performances by Vietnamese college seminarians and the APAC worship team.

The APAC region will continue its momentum with an online event ahead of the AWF 50th Anniversary celebration in October 2025, encouraging leaders to prioritize ministry and save for the milestone gathering in Africa in October 2025.

As participants returned home, they carried a renewed sense of purpose. “We need to live and walk in the living presence of Jesus day by day,” reflected Rev. David Chotka, echoing the heart of the conference.

With a clear mandate to challenge norms, embrace accountability, and empower the next generation, the APAC Regional Alliance stands poised to further its mission of bringing God’s Kingdom to every corner of the region.